UN human rights chief says whistleblowers need protection

In her first reference to whistleblower Edward Snowden’s case, UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay has called on all countries to protect the rights of those who uncover abuses and stressed the need to respect the right for people to seek asylum.

Commenting on the fugitive former US intelligence contractor, who
is presently wanted by the US for leaking classified details of
its surveillance programs, Pillay noted that undue surveillance
could amount to an infringement of human rights.

“National legal systems must ensure that there are adequate
avenues for individuals disclosing violations of human rights to
express their concern without fear of reprisals," said
Pillay.

"Snowden's case has shown the need to protect persons
disclosing information on matters that have implications for
human rights, as well as the importance of ensuring respect for
the right to privacy,” she added.

Snowden appeared with human rights activists during a press event
at Sheremetyevo International Airport on Friday, during which he
expressed thanks for “all offers of support or asylum I have
been extended,” which so far include Venezuela, Bolivia, and
Nicaragua.

At the same time, Snowden indicated that he would seek asylum
from Russia, at least for the time being, until such time
as travel to Latin America would be possible.

Meanwhile, the White House warned Russia not to offer the former intelligence
contractor a “propaganda platform,” while the US
ambassador to Moscow, Michael McFaul, called a member of the
humans rights delegation on Friday and asked her to pass on a
message to Snowden that he was not considered a whistleblower by
the US, reports the Guardian

The US is currently attempting to extradite Snowden to stand
trial on charges of espionage. Pillay, however, stated on Friday
that even legitimate national security concerns had to be weighed
against proper safeguards, in tacit support of Snowden’s case.

"While concerns about national security and criminal activity
may justify the exceptional and narrowly-tailored use of
surveillance programs, surveillance without adequate safeguards
to protect the right to privacy actually risks impacting
negatively on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental
freedoms," she said.

Pillay referred to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which
stipulate that no one may be subject to arbitrary interference
with their privacy, family, home or correspondence.

Reliable information regarding human rights violations on the
part of an intelligence agency were most likely to come within
the agency itself, according to testimony by a former UN expert
on human rights in counter terrorism cited by Pillay.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously stated during a
July 1 press conference that Edward Snowden might remain in
Russia, but only under the condition that he stops divulging
sensitive US government information.

“If he wants to remain here there is one condition – he should
stop his work aimed at inflicting damage on our American
partners,” Putin said.

During Friday’s press conference, Snowden indicated that he would
once again seek to remain in Russia, in compliance of the
Kremlin’s terms.